A drive down a dusty back road finds us in Loverna Saskatchewan. We’ve arrived! The community is that close to earning the title of “ghost town” and wandering quiet streets, we pass empty buildings, some near collapse, vacant lots, forgotten churches and other scattered remnants of human habitation. The silence, the stillness, it’s powerful and at times near overwhelming…and is in stark contrast to the Loverna of a century past which was a bustling boom-town with much hope and promise.
First off: this is not a regular outing for the Team. We’re here to be part of a documentary being filmed, “Forgotten Prairie” from Rueben Tschetter’s Cache Productions. He follows us and some fellow photographers, Byron Robb and view camera jockey Rob Pohl, as we explore a number of abandoned type places near the Alberta/Saskatchewan Border, taking pictures and speaking with locals. The film can be seen on Telus Optik TV and Youtube and will be available here at BIGDoer.com in the coming weeks.
Forgotten Prairie: Loverna – touring a picturesque Saskatchewan ghost town. A “Capsule History” by Team BIGDoer, Chris Doering and Connie Biggart. (BIGDoer/Synd/Cache)
Loverna was founded in 1913. Like near every other small community in the province, it sprang to life with the coming of the railway. Steel was laid into generally uninhabited regions and people and towns would soon follow. That was the plan anyway – a bit of a cart before the horse methodology – but it seemed to work. This line was built by Grand Trunk Pacific. In the early 1920s, Canadian National Railways took over. It was conceived as a major through route but in the end was only a lightly trafficked “grain” branch.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
For the next number of years Loverna prospered. A good size grew out of this, with a downtown core several blocks square down there by the tracks and a good sized residential area further behind. The future was bright – heck no, it was blinding. At the peak there was some five hundred people here, along with every type of business a prosperous community could ever need. There were hotels, restaurants and stores of every description. Many more people lived on farms in the area.
In summary, if you were in this part of Saskatchewan in those days, this was the place to be and was the largest town for some distance around. Loverna, by the way, is a stone’s throw from the Alberta border.
On the ground in Loverna Saskatchewan.
Then the downward slide started, slowly at first but building with each passing year. Fires ravaged parts of downtown – people left, businesses closed. Each year the population fell. The railway was pulled up in the 1980s – not that anyone really noticed. This sort of sad decline played out in many small prairie communities.
The former Canadian Legion – there used to be a gas station to the right.
Fast forward to 2017 and Loverna has a permanent population counted on one hand (a few others live here seasonally). In downtown there’s a couple old buildings that once were businesses, closed long ago. And they’re collapsing or close to. Empty lots outnumber those with something on them by a huge margin. In the residential area, more houses are vacant than lived in.
Let’s take a tour!
The town is laid out in a grid about five blocks square and five deep. Main and First, by the old railway line marks downtown. There would have been a train station just over there. And grain elevators in behind. Main is mostly empty now, but markers tells us what used to be here. There was a big business district in Loverna! A Chinese Laundry here, a hotel there, a confectionery on this plot, a hardware store on that. East/west avenues are numbered and north/south streets given names (King, Queens, Saskatchewan, Dominion, etc).
On 2nd Avenue the old Canadian Legion is the only old building standing. At one time every small town had a “Legion”, a place for servicemen or former servicemen to hang out. The organization still exists, although today anyone can join. Most small town chapters have long since closed, however.
In old photos there used to be a White Rose gas station next door. Oh, it was beautiful. In behind a 1940s Ford Two Ton, in “BIGDoer Yellow” begs to be photographed.
Further east, at the town’s only business, a repair shop, an old Calgary Transit “Fishbowl” bus in retirement is seen. They got that nickname from the expansive front window. The design, officially was called “New Look” by the maker General Motors. This one dates from the mid-1970s – and was retired, we believe in the later half of the 1990s. New Looks were made from the late-1950s to the mid-1980s and for that era were the most popular transit bus.
In back, a Winnebago Brave. This iconic design was the first mass-produced motor home (1970s era) and in many ways started it all. Compared to the battleship sized monster rigs today, it’s quite modest in proportions.
There’s good number of houses in the residential area, some lived in some not and in decay. Please, if you photograph any of them, do it from the street.
Turning back, the south end of main street reached and is home to a couple churches, Grace United and All Saint’s Anglican (“always open for prayer”). We got a thing for churches, so we’re happy. Both are well kept and used occasionally for special services and the like, funerals and the odd wedding. Between the two is the Loverna Cenotaph honouring those who fought and died for our freedoms. It’s staggering how many small town boys volunteered in service of their country. And it’s sobering to know how many didn’t return.
A third church sits on private property a bit to the west.
The community hall is used from time to time. Old signs decorate the walls. For Loverna’s 100th Birthday a few years back, a big party was held here. Loverna hasn’t seen this many people in a long, long time.
In “downtown”.
Most all of what we’ve looked at so far dates from the early period (1910s-1920s).
Caraganas have taken over and many vacant buildings are obscured by this fast growing shrub. This plant is not native to Canada but thrives in the harsh conditions here. That’s why it was brought over, to be used as decorative wind breaks (nice yellow flowers come spring). But if left unchecked it grows like a weed. Most lawns, including places not lived in or used, still get a good mowing. For a ghost town or near ghost town, it’s a rather tidy place.
Markers tell us what used to be here.
Over behind downtown is the Curling Rink. Every small prairie town had a rink…and near everybody in the small prairie towns participated. This one is fairly modern, dating from the 1970s. Old advertisements adorns the walls – a good read – many from long gone businesses – the Pool went the way of the Dinosaur. Games were played here into the 1990s. On the opposite side of town old baseball diamonds are seen. Been a while since they were used I bet.
So our motley group wanders about, sometimes together, sometimes each going their own way. Free range photographers on the loose, we bump into each other as we explore the place each in our own special way. All the while, filming of the documentary continues. We’ve been at this for four days now so hardly notice our filmmaker.
It’s chilly but it does little to dampen our enthusiasm and resolve. It’s gotta be done. Time is taken to speak with residents…and grab a welcome coffee.
Loverna was one of four separate towns we visited while filming Forgotten Prairie (also hit up a metal yard). It was in fact, the last one we took in. From here we all went our own way and headed home, each knowing they were part of something special in the making of this production. It’s understanding our past, knowing where we came from and maybe learning something that we hope has been shared.
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!
Date: April, 2017. Location: Loverna SK. Article references (and thanks): Book – Borderline memories : a history of the town of Loverna and the school districts of Antelope, Claremont, Grattle, Pizarro, Rock Plains, Saskalta, Springville, South Loverna and Stratton (whew!), Glenbow Archives, Johnnie Bachusky, Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board. You can walk the streets of Loverna and go inside the Anglican Church. Please do not enter any other buildings. BIGDoer.com visited with permission.
My father, Norman MacDermid, was born in the Loverna hospital in 1926. His father, John MacDermid, had a farm just south of Smiley and his mother Jessie McQuarrie was a school teacher in Loverna. Unfortunately, my dad’s mother Jessie died four months after my dad was born, and his father John decided to sell the farm and have his brother Dougald and Dougald’s wife Rebecca raise and adopt my father. So, my father was raised on a farm just south of Collingwood, Ontario. I was able to visit Loverna (and Smiley) with my father in 1972 and in 1997 and on my own in 2018. My father died in Edmonton in 2019. I have attached a picture of my father from 1997 – in front of the Loverna Legion (he was in the Canadian Navy in World War II).
My father came from Loverna, he was born in 1920 (name: Harold Anderson). His parents moved back east when farming went bust in the 30’s. He went to Saskatoon instead and shortly joined the army. I am glad to see the town memories and how people are looking after it.
Amazing photos. Loverna was my home til I was about 12. My parent’s were Jack and Rose Warrington. Last fall I took my husband for a trip down my memory lane. Definitely tugged at my heart strings. Our house was on the far west side of town, its still there and looking so lonely.
Loverna is my hometown! Walked hand in hand with my dad down the wooden sidewalks learning my ABC’s after grabbing an orange crush from the general store… We held his funeral (1992) in our Grace United Church where I used to go to Sunday school. I also went back in 2008 to be married in our church, just so I could be closer to my dad for that life changing moment. Many a fine socials were held in the hall! I loved being in the Christmas concert there. Loverna Days rodeo was always a bustling busy time for the town. So many memories!! I have a LOT of photos! Thanks for your piece. Always great to “be back home”!! -a Brumwell girl
This (yellow house) was the United church manse. My first home after my marriage to Bill in jn.Jn. 1954. Shared with minister Dick ?? Heatherington” for nearly 2years. I believe last occupants were. Don & Beatrice Scott.
Love this article and want to thank you for taking the time to do these photos and the article ❤️ Loverna has been my home for near 60 years. I’m still here today with no plans of leaving. I always say I’ll turn the rest of the street lights off when I’m done.
I love reading your articles & following along on google maps when I can. What a beautiful old town. Very spread out over blocks & blocks of emptiness that were once bustling!
Awesome Captures !! Great Article !! You may have checked out (in your travels ) Norquay Sask or Swan Plain Sask ? Tons of abandon farms ect Might be worth the trip PS Would be in my glory to have your job 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to take it in! And commenting. No, have not been to those two places. But I’m going to look into them! Thanks for the tip – our calendar is sure filling up. Sometimes I think there needs to be two of me. Or four of us – Off the Beaten Path – with Chris and Connie and Chris and Connie! It’s a fantastic job, fun, interesting, we learn so much and meet so many cool people. But the pay stinks! Since we operate as a non-profit, we scrape by and put in huge hours underwriting the operation. But, that’s the only downside.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
My father, Norman MacDermid, was born in the Loverna hospital in 1926. His father, John MacDermid, had a farm just south of Smiley and his mother Jessie McQuarrie was a school teacher in Loverna. Unfortunately, my dad’s mother Jessie died four months after my dad was born, and his father John decided to sell the farm and have his brother Dougald and Dougald’s wife Rebecca raise and adopt my father. So, my father was raised on a farm just south of Collingwood, Ontario. I was able to visit Loverna (and Smiley) with my father in 1972 and in 1997 and on my own in 2018. My father died in Edmonton in 2019.
I have attached a picture of my father from 1997 – in front of the Loverna Legion (he was in the Canadian Navy in World War II).
What a touching photo and thank you for sharing it and your memories of Loverna.
My father came from Loverna, he was born in 1920 (name: Harold Anderson). His parents moved back east when farming went bust in the 30’s. He went to Saskatoon instead and shortly joined the army. I am glad to see the town memories and how people are looking after it.
Wow, we’re hearing from so many people with connections to the town. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful pictures of Loverna, the photos sure pull at my heart strings. Do you have any photos of the house on the west side of town?
Glad you liked the photos. We felt honoured to capture them. If you can send details in private what it looks like we’ll check.
That would be great! what is the best way to send you the details?
Look for the “Reach Us” page to send an email or search “Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie” of Facebook and message us there.
Amazing photos. Loverna was my home til I was about 12. My parent’s were Jack and Rose Warrington. Last fall I took my husband for a trip down my memory lane. Definitely tugged at my heart strings. Our house was on the far west side of town, its still there and looking so lonely.
It was a great honour to photograph the town. We were touched by the beauty and history.
HI, Do you happen to have a picture of the White Rose Gas Station that was here?
We’ve seen some but we ourselves don’t have any. It was a fine looking old building. Good luck with your search.
Thank you
Does the Anglican church have a grave yard or is there a cemetery in Loverna?
The cemetery is at the west end of town, sadly not visited on this visit.
Loverna is my hometown! Walked hand in hand with my dad down the wooden sidewalks learning my ABC’s after grabbing an orange crush from the general store… We held his funeral (1992) in our Grace United Church where I used to go to Sunday school. I also went back in 2008 to be married in our church, just so I could be closer to my dad for that life changing moment. Many a fine socials were held in the hall! I loved being in the Christmas concert there. Loverna Days rodeo was always a bustling busy time for the town. So many memories!! I have a LOT of photos! Thanks for your piece. Always great to “be back home”!!
-a Brumwell girl
Amazing memories! Can picture it all. Thank you so much for sharing.
Please share “old” photos…
Here’s hoping they see your comment.
Very cool!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
I’m sure that is my grandparents house (the yellow house).
According to another who’s commented, it may be. They say a couple with the same last name as you lived there last.
WOW!! Been a LONG time since I was in Loverna & things have really changed in the past 35-40 years. Enjoyed the pics !
So glad you liked it. Yes, lots of change in those years – we’ve seen the old pictures.
Memories of a great community where everybody helped out their neighbors.
That seems to be in these small towns. When help was needed, it was there. Try that in the big city!
This (yellow house) was the United church manse. My first home after my marriage to Bill in jn.Jn. 1954. Shared with minister Dick ?? Heatherington” for nearly 2years. I believe last occupants were. Don & Beatrice Scott.
Oh, that’s cool. A human connection to the place. Thanks for sharing!
Love this article and want to thank you for taking the time to do these photos and the article ❤️ Loverna has been my home for near 60 years. I’m still here today with no plans of leaving. I always say I’ll turn the rest of the street lights off when I’m done.
You are most welcome and so glad it meets with your approval. Nice to meet you and chat, that cold April day, by the way. Thanks for hosting us.
Love these stories!!
Of course, Fusilier has a soft spot in my heart ❤️ ….
Thanks! We did a piece on that town too, here…https://www.bigdoer.com/32590/exploring-history/forgotten-prairie-fusilier/
Hope you like it!
Everyone did such a great job on that film. All should be proud!
Agreed! It’s something I’ll never forget.
Such an interesting place. Every photo of Loverna I have ever seen is awesome. I have wanted to go for awhile. SOON!!!
It’s worth the visit Jenn. And I know you’ll get some great photos when you go!
Love your work! Especially when unexpectedly my home town pops up.
Oh, now that’s so cool! Awesome!
Great as always Chris & Connie. Loverna is one of my favorite places to check out. Will try to get out there next spring.
I really enjoyed the visit. The mood was right, the sky had personality, lots of friends to hang with. It was magic!
I wish I could have come for that trip. Maybe one day I can sneak out for an adventure.
One day we’ll make it happen!
So cool that you had access to the buildings.
We’re so lucky to have gotten the keys! Adds a whole new dimensions to the adventure. Thanks for commenting!
In my part of the world.
Oh, never knew. Next time we’re there, and I’m sure we will be, maybe we can do coffee?
Reminds me of home in Saskatchewan! Many years ago.
Cool! Now what town was that?
You do a tremendous job!
Thanks, that made our day!
I love reading your articles & following along on google maps when I can. What a beautiful old town. Very spread out over blocks & blocks of emptiness that were once bustling!
Loverna is so cool! So glad you’re enjoying what we do, too! Come back often – always new stuff in the works.
Love your stuff!
Thanks for hanging about in our little corner of the world!
I love these articles and pictures! History is addicting.
Awesome! Glad to be your “dealer”. Please, come back often and comment a lot.
Awesome Captures !! Great Article !!
You may have checked out (in your travels ) Norquay Sask or Swan Plain Sask ? Tons of abandon farms ect
Might be worth the trip
PS
Would be in my glory to have your job 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to take it in! And commenting. No, have not been to those two places. But I’m going to look into them! Thanks for the tip – our calendar is sure filling up. Sometimes I think there needs to be two of me. Or four of us – Off the Beaten Path – with Chris and Connie and Chris and Connie! It’s a fantastic job, fun, interesting, we learn so much and meet so many cool people. But the pay stinks! Since we operate as a non-profit, we scrape by and put in huge hours underwriting the operation. But, that’s the only downside.
Great article! Love the pics and looking forward to the documentary!
Thanks, and we hope to have it posted in the next two weeks or so.
From Johnnie Bachusky: Loverna, named after Loverna McFarland, daughter of a local railway official.
Yes! I should have said that in the post – how it got the name. Thanks for adding to the story Connie!